End of Life Decisions

Posted: June 6th, 2021

End of Life Decisions. Write an article for a community newsletter for a local retirement village that explains the laws, policies, and choices surrounding end-of-life health care decisions.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
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Competency 1: Explain the effect of health care policies, legislation, and legal issues on health care delivery and patient outcomes.
Identify the primary policies that define current health care practices in regard to end-of-life health care decisions.
Explain the legislation that generated end-of-life health care policies.
Competency 2: Explain the effect of regulatory environments and controls on health care delivery and patient outcomes.
Explain the effect of end-of-life regulations and controls on patient outcomes.
Competency 3: Apply professional nursing ethical standards and principles to the decision-making process.
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Write My Essay | Papers Writing Service Online by Essay Hub Experts- Describe the ethical considerations that have influenced policy decisions in regard to end-of-life decisions.
Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is consistent with expectations of nursing professionals.
Write content clearly and logically, with correct use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
Correctly format citations and references using APA style.
Competency Map
Check Your Progress
Use this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.
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Context
Nurses are at the bedside during the dying process; they spend entire shifts with patients and families; they develop trusting relationships; and they are competent to assess patient and family needs. Nurses gain a unique perspective that allows them to become aware when a patient is not responding to treatment. This perspective places nurses in a position to facilitate end-of-life decision making. (Adams, Bailey. Anderson, & Docherty, 2011, para. 4)
Reference
Adams, J. A., Bailey, D. E., Jr., Anderson, R. A., & Docherty, S. L. (2011). Nursing roles and strategies in end-of-life decision making in acute care: A systematic review of the literature. Nursing Research and Practice, 2011.
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Questions to Consider
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community.
How should nurses manage patients whose end-of-life decisions may run contrary to their personal beliefs and values?
How can nurses influence new policies, laws, or legislation regarding end-of life decisions?
What are some of the most difficult decisions patients and families have to make at the end of the patient’s life?
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Resources
Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.
Capella Resources
APA Paper Template.
APA Paper Tutorial.
Library Resources
The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:
Norlander, L. (2014). To comfort always: A nurse’s guide to end-of-life care (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.
Hebert, K., Moore, H., & Rooney, J. (2011). The nurse advocate in end-of-life care. The Ochsner Journal, 11(4), 325–329.
Lewis, K. (2013). How nurses can help ease patient transitions to end of life care. Nursing Older People, 25(8), 22–26.
Lund, S., Richardson, A., & May, C. (2015). Barriers to advance care planning at the end of life: An explanatory systematic review of implementation studies. PLoS One, 10(2).
Aoun, S., O’Connor, M., Skett, K., Deas, K., & Smith, J. (2012). Do models of care designed for terminally ill ‘home alone’ people improve their end-of-life experience? A patient perspective. Health & Social Care in the Community, 20(6), 599–606.
Nakano, K., Sato, K., Katayama, H., & Miyashita, M. (2013). Living with pleasure in daily life at the end of life: Recommended care strategy for cancer patients from the perspective of physicians and nurses. Palliative & Supportive Care, 11(5), 405–413.
Adams, J. A., Bailey, D. E., Jr., Anderson, R. A., & Docherty, S. L. (2011). Nursing roles and strategies in end-of-life decision making in acute care: A systematic review of the literature. Nursing Research and Practice, 2011.
Course Library Write My Essay Today: No1 Essay Writing Service AU for Your Academic Papers – Guide
A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the BSN-FP4006 – Policy, Law, Ethics, and Regulations Library Write My Essay Today: No1 Essay Writing Service AU for Your Academic Papers – Guide to help direct your research.
Internet Resources
Access the following resources by clicking the links provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permissions for the following links have been either granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication.
American Nurses Association. (2016). Position statement: Nurses’ Roles and Responsibilities in Providing Care and Support at the End of Life. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4adf1c/globalassets/docs/ana/endoflife-positionstatement.pdf
Assessment Instructions
Your manager asked you to prepare an article for a community newsletter for a local retirement village. The editor wants you to talk about the laws, policies, and choices surrounding end-of-life health care decisions
Preparation
Search the Capella library and the Internet for scholarly and professional peer-reviewed articles on end-of-life care. You will need at least three articles to use as support for your work on this assessment.
Directions
Write an article of 750–1,000 words (3–4 pages) that discusses the laws, policies, and choices surrounding end-of-life health care decisions. Address the following in your article:
Write My Essay | Papers Writing Service Online by Essay Hub Experts- Describe the role of the nurse in end-of-life decision making with patients and their families.
Explain the legislation that generated end-of-life health care policies. Was the legislation an outcome of a specific medical case?
Identify the primary policies regarding current health care practices related to end-of-life health care decisions. How to these policies affect treatment decisions?
Explain the effect of end-of-life regulations and controls on patient outcomes. What effect does this have on the nurse-patient relationship?
Write My Essay | Papers Writing Service Online by Essay Hub Experts- Describe the ethical considerations that have influenced policy decisions in regard to end-of-life decisions.
Additional Requirements
Your article should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
References: Cite a minimum of three resources; a majority of these should be peer-reviewed sources. Your reference list should be appropriate to the body of literature available on this topic that has been published in the past 5 years.
APA format: Resources and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and formatting.
Length: 750–1,000 words or 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding title page and reference page. Use Microsoft Word to complete the assessment.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.

Navigating End-of-Life Health Care Decisions: A Nurse’s Perspective

Introduction

As we approach the later stages of life, one topic that becomes increasingly relevant is end-of-life health care decisions. These decisions involve a complex interplay of laws, policies, and personal choices that impact patients, their families, and the healthcare providers, particularly nurses, who care for them. In this article, we will explore the crucial role nurses play in end-of-life decision making, the legislation that shapes these policies, the primary policies governing end-of-life health care, the effect of regulations on patient outcomes, and the ethical considerations influencing policy decisions.

The Nurse’s Role in End-of-Life Decision Making

Nurses are often the unsung heroes at the forefront of end-of-life care. They are uniquely positioned to understand and address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients and their families during this challenging time. Nurses build trust with patients and families, providing valuable insights into when treatments may no longer be effective or when palliative care becomes the best option. Their involvement in decision making can help ensure that the patient’s wishes and best interests are respected.

Legislation and End-of-Life Health Care Policies

End-of-life health care policies are shaped by legislation, and one landmark case that influenced such policies in the United States was the case of Karen Ann Quinlan in the 1970s. Karen Ann Quinlan fell into a persistent vegetative state, and her parents fought for her right to have life support withdrawn based on her previously expressed wishes. The New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision in this case paved the way for the recognition of the patient’s right to refuse life-sustaining treatment, even when incapable of making decisions.

Primary Policies Governing End-of-Life Health Care

Several primary policies define current health care practices in regard to end-of-life health care decisions:

Advance Directives: These legal documents, including living wills and durable power of attorney for health care, allow individuals to specify their preferences for medical treatment should they become incapacitated. They ensure that a patient’s wishes are respected when they can no longer communicate.

Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: DNR orders indicate that a patient does not wish to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest. These orders reflect the patient’s decision to allow a natural death.

Palliative Care: This approach focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and suffering associated with serious illnesses rather than curative treatment. It aims to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Effect of Regulations and Controls on Patient Outcomes

End-of-life regulations and controls play a critical role in ensuring that patients’ wishes are honored and that the right care is provided at the right time. These regulations can affect the nurse-patient relationship in several ways:

Clear Guidance: Regulations provide clear guidelines for healthcare providers, including nurses, on how to approach end-of-life care. This clarity ensures that care is provided in a consistent and ethical manner.

Patient Advocacy: Nurses often act as advocates for their patients, ensuring that their preferences are respected and that they receive appropriate care, whether it is aggressive treatment or palliative care.

Emotional Support: Nurses offer emotional support to patients and their families, helping them navigate the difficult decisions surrounding end-of-life care. Regulations can provide a framework for these discussions, making them more manageable for all parties involved.

Ethical Considerations Influencing Policy Decisions

Ethical considerations heavily influence policy decisions regarding end-of-life care. The principle of patient autonomy, which emphasizes an individual’s right to make decisions about their own medical treatment, is paramount. Respecting a patient’s wishes, even when those wishes involve withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, is a fundamental ethical principle. Additionally, the principles of beneficence (doing what is in the patient’s best interest) and non-maleficence (avoiding harm) guide healthcare providers in ensuring that end-of-life decisions align with the patient’s values and interests.

Conclusion

End-of-life health care decisions are complex and emotionally charged, involving nurses, patients, families, and legal and ethical considerations. Understanding the role of nurses in decision making, the legislation that shapes policies, the primary policies governing end-of-life care, the effect of regulations on patient outcomes, and the ethical principles guiding these decisions is crucial for ensuring that individuals receive compassionate and respectful care as they approach the end of life. By navigating these intricate issues thoughtfully, healthcare providers can honor patients’ wishes, provide comfort, and ensure dignity in the final stages of life.